Catherine's POV
The silence that followed the kiss was broken not by the students, but by Gabriel. I felt his hand tighten on my arm, his fingers digging in with a force that bordered on pain. The protective, calm older brother I had seen moments ago vanished, replaced by a man whose jaw was set so hard I thought it might crack. He didn't just step forward; he lunged, pulling me away from Dante with a jerk that nearly knocked me off my feet. His eyes were dark, fixed on Dante with a hostility that was far too personal to be mere brotherly concern.
"Get your hands off her," Gabriel hissed, his shoulders bunching under his coat. He looked like he was a second away from swinging.
No! I couldn't let this escalate like the other night when they first met. If Kiera sent him here, it was for a good reason, which I couldn't jeopardise.
